Utah gun laws

Most people can agree with the premise that the gun issue is important to many Utah residents. Residents may not agree on whether there should be limitations on sales, types of guns or the number of bullets held in clips, but most can at least agree that the issue is a hot one in this state.

That point holds true for the Utah Legislature as well. One bill shows just how important the issue is to some lawmakers and just how little trust there is for the Barack Obama administration on this topic. Rep. Brian Greene, R-Pleasant Grove, a newcomer to the state House, has sponsored House Bill 114. Basically, this bill, if passed, would state that any federal gun legislation would be secondary to Utah's gun laws.

In other words, a Utah lawmakers wants to pass a bill saying state law supersedes federal law.

While some Utahns may agree with Greene's premise and may want to insulate the state from any federal law changes, it's important that lawmakers take a step back and think clearly before passing this bill.

For starters, the constitutional note that lays out the risks for lawmakers by the Legislature's own legal counsel is nearly as long as the bill itself. It points out the bill likely violates the supremacy and commerce clauses of the U.S. Constitution.

In other words, Utah lawmakers can pass the bill and send it to Gov. Gary Herbert for his signature. But doing so likely will lead to a lengthy, expensive court fight that the state can't win. After all, what federal judge is going to rule that a state can dictate something to Congress?

And, let's not forget for a moment that passing such a law would land in many newspapers and on TV networks, providing a reason for people outside the state to build an unfavorable impression of Utah. That might not play so well for national and international companies that state economic development coordinators are trying to recruit to the Beehive State.

Look, we understand. The federal government has been untrustworthy at times. Utahns don't always agree with the bills being put forth in the U.S. House and Senate. They certainly don't always agree with the administration's handling of issues.

But Utah legislators should fight the battles they have a chance of winning. Passing a hallow law that will be shot down in the courts while spending money that could go to education or other important programs is not prudent.

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Utah gun laws

Most people can agree with the premise that the gun issue is important to many Utah residents.